AO 2026 Final Alcaraz v Djokovic

[MargaretMcAleer]

Lets put Novak's run to the final in proper context for starters
Novak had a dream run to the SF, he was given a walkover from the QFs, he was down 2 sets to love, sad to say Musetti was rolling him, he had to retire, quite frankly Novak was lucky to get to the SF, if Musetti could have continued Novak would have lost.
Will Novak get another dream draw in the next GS? with players, giving walkovers and retiring? I doubt it

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It is possible someone could cause an an upset vs Sinner or Alcaraz in the French or Wimbledon, that might enable Djokovic the opportunity winning the 25 Grand Slam.

Novak is not winning RG you have to be in top physical condition for starters, he was stating in his press conference he wasnt 100%in the final at the AO, but didnt want to elaborate, RG is the hardest slam to win, also it is not Novaks better slams for starters.
I have to agree with Moxie, I cant see Novak another slam.

 

[Vince Evert]

Lets put Novak's run to the final in proper context for starters
Novak had a dream run to the SF, he was given a walkover from the QFs, he was down 2 sets to love, sad to say Musetti was rolling him, he had to retire, quite frankly Novak was lucky to get to the SF, if Musetti could have continued Novak would have lost.
Will Novak get another dream draw in the next GS? with players, giving walkovers and retiring? I doubt it

I would say probably not. Anything is possible as there are no more BO5 outside of the GS these days, and players may not be prepared or conditioned for BO5 demands and so i would expect there'll be some walkovers and retirements in the future.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I would say probably not. Anything is possible as there are no more BO5 outside of the GS these days, and players may not be prepared or conditioned for BO5 demands and so i would expect there'll be some walkovers and retirements in the future.

Players usually play warm ups before a GS, to prepare themselves for starters, Musetti sad to say picked up an injury while being up 2 sets to love, and had to retire.
Novak also said on the podium while doing his runner up speech,he may be back at the AO next year, but maybe not as a player? I have no idea what he was alluding to when he said that btw

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Like I said at the end of Federer's career, if Novak wins another slam, it will be either an Australian Open or Wimbledon. Like Federer, Novak has a long track record of winning at those two slams, and you can never really count them out, especially if they are fully healthy. Just like Federer had to avoid facing both Novak and Rafa, Novak has to avoid facing both Sinner and Alcaraz.

And even then, Federer almost pulled it off at 2019 Wimbledon.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Like I said at the end of Federer's career, if Novak wins another slam, it will be either an Australian Open or Wimbledon. Like Federer, Novak has a long track record of winning at those two slams, and you can never really count them out, especially if they are fully healthy. Just like Federer had to avoid facing both Novak and Rafa, Novak has to avoid facing both Sinner and Alcaraz.

And even then, Federer almost pulled it off at 2019 Wimbledon.

Sorry Phil to burst your bubble Novak wont be winning Wimbledon, he cannot avoid facing Alcaraz or Sinner
BTW he was given a Dream Run at the AO with a walkover for the QF and Musetti was schooling him being up 2 sets to love, he picked up and injury and had to retire?
Do you think he will get another Dream Draw again in a GS? probably not. Carlos exposed him in the final at the AO fair and square.

 

[Kieran]

Fair enough, but in a general note there has been discussion about how can Novak possibly be motivated to keep on knowing he can’t beat the big 2.

My opinion is that if anything, this win over Sinner in 5 sets gives Djokovic even more reason to continue as long as his body allows that.

Crazy as it may seem to others, I think he actually enjoys this elder savvy player who can outfox most of the younger players, even if he never wins another Grand Slam.

Novak is hoping for others to wield the dagger, then he’ll clean up after them. Can’t see him beating both Alcaraz and Sinner in a row, but as was said above, I think by sister @Moxie, if Zverev had closed the deal on Charlie, Novak today is on 25.

I think you’re right as well though, he’s enjoying meeting these youngsters and testing himself against them. And of course, why not? He’ll be a long time gone, might as well enjoy it..

 

[Moxie]

Fair enough, but in a general note there has been discussion about how can Novak possibly be motivated to keep on knowing he can’t beat the big 2.

My opinion is that if anything, this win over Sinner in 5 sets gives Djokovic even more reason to continue as long as his body allows that.

Crazy as it may seem to others, I think he actually enjoys this elder savvy player who can outfox most of the younger players, even if he never wins another Grand Slam.

Sure, that's another possibility, and I don't disagree that's possible. He's been a pro tennis player for some 22 years. His whole adult life, and then some. He would be loathe to give that up, and he has reason to be optimistic about his chances. He'll back himself to win, why not? But he did use the word "bitter" twice in his press conference. Whatever...he knows how to move on from loss. And he's said he's playing through to the next Olympics. He did make some good jokes on himself re: his age. I'm sure he loves beating most guys who are younger than he his.

 

[Moxie]

Well said.

Now, what if the men's semifinals was the other way 'round, where Djokovic/Sinner was first sf and Alcaraz/Zverev followed them with a 2am conclusion?

Novak would have had 5 hours plus recovery.

Do you think that it would have made the difference in the final?

I do.

Personally, I don't think a few hours makes a difference, in a single day, after a 5-setter, to a 38-year-old. Now, if this had been in past years, when one semi at the AO was played on Thursday, and the 2nd on Friday, and Novak had had an extra day to recover, that would have been a help, and might have gotten him there, given that Alcaraz also played a 5-set SF. But just remember, Roger had the extra day of rest in 2009, and Rafa had by FAR the tougher SF v Verdasco, and yet, at 22 (same age as Alcaraz,) he prevailed in the final. And Fed was "only" 27. But a few hours on the same day, I don't think so.

 

[Moxie]

Novak is hoping for others to wield the dagger, then he’ll clean up after them. Can’t see him beating both Alcaraz and Sinner in a row, but as was said above, I think by sister @Moxie, if Zverev had closed the deal on Charlie, Novak today is on 25.

I think you’re right as well though, he’s enjoying meeting these youngsters and testing himself against them. And of course, why not? He’ll be a long time gone, might as well enjoy it..

That wasn't my point about if Zed had won the SF over Alcaraz, but I think we all know how a Zverev d Djokovic final would have gone.

But I agree with your point that Djokovic needs someone else to help clear the path for him at a Major. As someone else said just above. Which gets to my point, i.e., that even with some help, Djokovic didn't win the title here. It seems like most of us agree that Djokovic really might not be able to beat Alcaraz and Sinner back-to-back, and until the rankings change, (which won't happen soon,) or unless one or both are out of a Major due to injury or upset, that's what Djokovic is going to have to do. Even getting a walkover and a withdrawal where he was in serious trouble didn't get him over the finish line. The stars kind of need to align for him, most likely, which is what we were saying about Roger towards the end. (With Rafa it was different, because, per his whole injury-plagued career, it was really more his body that was taking him out of contention, for all to see. Though he did have some terrible luck to draw Zverev first round in his last RG. He could have used some help from the draw Gods in that one.)

 

[kskate2]

Well said.

Now, what if the men's semifinals was the other way 'round, where Djokovic/Sinner was first sf and Alcaraz/Zverev followed them with a 2am conclusion?

Novak would have had 5 hours plus recovery.

Do you think that it would have made the difference in the final?

I do.

I don't. He's 38. He had to play top shelf to beat Red in a 5-setter. He came out and was able to reproduce that level in the final's first set, but it was unrealistic he'd be able to maintain it to win 2 more sets on Sunday. He got a pass in R4, got a retirement in the QF. According to policy, they had to send Zed/Chuck on for the day match as they already had 2 days rest.

 

[Front242]

Surprised it hasn't been discussed more but, like him or not, Zverev was spot on calling the MTO they gave Alcaraz in the semi final complete bs. You are NOT allowed MTOs for cramp and many players have lost matches because of this, having to play on while unable to move properly or retire.

They bent the rules big time. All the talk of the amazing feat of youngest ever to win the career slam has a massive asterisk. Zverev would have likely won that match if they hadn't broken the rules. Serial choker but he would have won here only for the fact that they threw Alcaraz a massive get out of jail free card just to get the historical final they wanted. Zverev may even have won his first slam and, if he had, it may have given him a new sense of belief which the officials have now crushed. We'll never know due to corruption of the rules

 

[Vince Evert]

Surprised it hasn't been discussed more but, like him or not, Zverev was spot on calling the MTO they gave Alcaraz in the semi final complete bs. You are NOT allowed MTOs for cramp and many players have lost matches because of this, having to play on while unable to move properly or retire.

They bent the rules big time. All the talk of the amazing feat of youngest ever to win the career slam has a massive asterisk. Zverev would have likely won that match if they hadn't broken the rules. Serial choker but he would have won here only for the fact that they threw Alcaraz a massive get out of jail free card just to get the historical final they wanted. Zverev may even have won his first slam and, if he had, it may have given him a new sense of belief which the officials have now crushed. We'll never know due to corruption of the rules

That's a good point you raised.

I have looked online and found this on reddit. Warning. Some expletives on some of the comments there.

 

[Vince Evert]

So the key point was that Alcaraz had been physically sick and vomiting before his MTO. The Doctor made the decision that the heat stress was the contributing factor for his cramping and muscle treatment was therefore allowed.

What do other's think ?

 

[Vince Evert]

With the way Australian summers are going, couldn't they switch the AO to March date (where the worst of summer is over) and the Indian Wells to near November/December ? It's been one of the worst summer seasons if you live in Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

 

[Vince Evert]

I didn't watch the semifinals because i'm utterly and plenty fed-up with the way AO is treated, marketed and broadcast here by C.Nine (which i mentioned before the reasons).
Knowing that the AO official channel would upload these games following the championship i am happy and settled for that.

My questions are - Why did Zverev become so passive ? Was he expecting Alcaraz may not be well enough to play on and finished the match ???

Was his rhythm affected following his flare-up with the umpire?

He also served for the match.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

With the way Australian summers are going, couldn't they switch the AO to March date (where the worst of summer is over) and the Indian Wells to near November/December ? It's been one of the worst summer seasons if you live in Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

More likely is that AO is moved to February (like in 2021), switched with the Saudi Masters, which will begin in 2028. You can forget about Indian Wells (or any tournament) being moved to November/December because that's the holiday season for players.

 

[Fiero425]

With the way Australian summers are going, couldn't they switch the AO to March date (where the worst of summer is over) and the Indian Wells to near November/December ? It's been one of the worst summer seasons if you live in Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

You see what happened the last time they seriously jiggered the schedule?! It still looked borerline insane; to actually move a major to the end of the season to lure Borg "down under!" He so routinely won the FO & Wimbledon, "Channel Slam" back in the 70's, they figured he'd win the USO eventually! It was teased he might have a chance of a CY Grand Slam! I hated that period during Covid; the special rankings, a hold on the #1 ranking (Novak losing 22 wks.), & moving of the FO to the end of the year in 2020 just weeks after the USO!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

More likely is that AO is moved to February (like in 2021), switched with the Saudi Masters, which will begin in 2028. You can forget about Indian Wells (or any tournament) being moved to November/December because that's the holiday season for players.

No,the AO wont be moved to February, main reason the school holidays are on in Australia during the December/January
The new Saudi Masters will likely be in February after the AO.
The main reason the AO was moved in 2021 to February was because of COVID

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I didn't watch the semifinals because i'm utterly and plenty fed-up with the way AO is treated, marketed and broadcast here by C.Nine (which i mentioned before the reasons).
Knowing that the AO official channel would upload these games following the championship i am happy and settled for that.

My questions are - Why did Zverev become so passive ? Was he expecting Alcaraz may not be well enough to play on and finished the match ???

Was his rhythm affected following his flare-up with the umpire?

He also served for the match.

Zverev always plays passive when he gets in front? that has been one of his down falls in his career
Zverev dosent play to win, he plays to protect his score?
When Zverev did a training block with Toni Nadal at Rafa's Academy last year., most important point from Toni and Rafa was not to be 'soo passive, stay aggressive' of course he dosent listen and does the opposite..